Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.

[Spearmint]

Helix Village, Duchy of Aerik.


May 28th 1066.

A week after their return from the Barrow Mounds, Gerdal and Isvand breakfast in anticipation of a new challenge, exploring the Barrow Moor in search of insidious snake-men who are attacking the villagers. They are joining Raust, a druid of Herne and Marcel, an itinerant cleric of St Ygg who bear the seal of authority from Lord Krothos to commission them to the task.

Having recovered from wounds inflicted during her own barrow mound exploration, Venwynn is happier to scout for the group in the wilderness, backed up by warrior Traeliorn who has seen first hand, the snake-men bursting from skin cocoons in the Helix Hospice.

Animal companions to the group are two wolves, Namma & Carca and a familiar chameleon Harkazz.

I am holding this here as Helix roleplay continues and folk finalise equipment, skill upgrades, any mercenary supplements and supplies.

[sastaz]

Can we use the thread for expedition planning? Like retainers, equipment and such.

[Spearmint]

see Expedition planning thread.

that is what it is there for.

[Marullus]

Thanks! Posted there.

[Spearmint]

Okay. Finish off last minute supplies and Helix roleplay and I will update the investigation on Tuesday.

Post here if ready.

[Marullus]

As soon as Marcel is ready. I am done IC in town.

...I do have hanging questions in private forum.

[RiverGreenForest]

I think I'm ready as well. Just did a once over on my character's inventory. I think I have everything I need to go on an adventure.

[sastaz]

Hi all! This is going to be fun. Gerdal just finished her "downtime" and I will buy stuff and post here within ~12 hours.

[Marullus]

Is Gerdal going to initiate the recruiting pitch with the two half-elf rangers? (Raust isn't initiating alone, but agreed to do the pitch if you started.)

[sastaz]

My interpretation of SM was that they were already bound for other assignments, right SM?

[Spearmint]

See tavern thread.

[sastaz]

Great!

After the business in the tavern is concluded (Raust, please do your thing), Gerdal is ready to go!

[Marullus]

Recruiting successful.

New adventure list:
Friar Marcel (NPC)
Raust with Namma and Carca
Traeliorn
Gerdal
Isvand
Venwynn
Dale Birgensen
Ricardo (NPC)
Pasquel (NPC)

That's six full shares of XP and three half-shares of XP for the NPCs. Also, eight full shares of treasure (Friar Marcel didn't negotiate for mercenary pay, as he's serving his commission for the Duke and not paying us for our protection of him as he does so...)

[Spearmint]

okay I will move this and other threads forward.

That's six full shares of XP and three half-shares of XP for the NPCs. Also, eight full shares of treasure (Friar Marcel didn't negotiate for mercenary pay, as he's serving his commission for the Duke and not paying us for our protection of him as he does so...)

Err . No, Marcel will get an equal share of any trove. Technically he leads the expedition under Lord Krothos direction though obviously gives deference to the experience of the characters.

Helix Village, Duchy of Aerik.

May 28th 1066.

The group expanded by a trio of newcomers. A rough and ready warrior, Dale. Alongside him come NPC recruits Ricardo and Pasquel, a half-elven couple who sojourn as seasonal hunters and labourers. It adds extra blades and bows against the dangers of the Moor.

A natural first stop after Helix is the Herne Statue. It is also referred to as the Shrine or Ring, both being equally apt. About a mile off the westward trail, the place is an ancient henge of standing stones which surround a large statue of Herne. The God of the Hunt is represented by a human like figure bearing a head covering of a slain stag whose antlers spread out wide with long tines on each spar. The stone statue has suffered little from wind and rain erosion over the many years it has stood here and interestingly, the statue's gaze is set towards the Barrow Moor that spreads out southwards rather than the thick forest of blackened trunks and verdant canopy to the north.

The other sarsen stones form a rough ring around the central statue. Some form arches with heavy lintels laid across the top while others stand upright and alone. The area is overgrown though a well worn path circles the area.

There is no resident Priest of Herne that oversees any pastoral duty in Helix. Druids such as Raust are given the freedom to conduct such religious rituals here as they see fit, though these are low key affairs save for festival occasions. The deities of the Angarach has been sidestepped and relegated from prominence in the Duchy with the Duke and Lords converting to follow the ecclesiastical ways of St Ygg. As settlements have become increasingly urbanised, common folk have come under more of the influence of the Futurus.

A few days earlier, Raust and others conducted a memorial service to those slain here and as victims of the blaze at the hospice. Few pilgrims have ventured here since the attack ten days ago. You can check around the area though any likely trails of blood or footprint are well covered over the passage of time.

actions and posts everyone please

[redwarrior]

Isvand


Following the burial, Isvand searches in and around the standing stones for anything that seems "off." Once that is done, he will start searching in a ring 10-15 feet beyond the stones for anything that might indicate snake-men.


Search [1d8]=7

[tarlyn]

Venwynn

The Red haired Ranger aids Isvand in his search and exploration of the area.

[RiverGreenForest]

Traeliorn

Traeliorn also aids Isvand and Venwynn in exploring the area for any clues left behind by the snake-men.

[Marullus]

Raust sniffs the air, standing between the tall, furred shoulders of Namma and Carca, frowning at the lingering scent of ash and soot from the burial pyres less than a week prior. They pause while the druid prays over the remains once more.

Carca leads the way into a a thicket of brush, Namma and Raust following, taking a wider loop amidst the edge of the wild where things might be less well-trodden...

Not sure the roll, so following redwarrior's lead...
Search [1d8]=8

[Rusty Tincanne]

Dale climbs atop a nearby boulder and follows Herne's gaze, watching the Barrow Moor. With bow in hand, he allows the others to search the area for signs of passage and other clues. He occasionally turns to watch the woodlands as well, but most of his focus is on the Barrow Moor.

I've been playing 5e lately and am not sure if I need to make a perception check here. Let me know if I need to roll anything.

[sastaz]

Gerdal observes the others as they search the area, staying close to the two half-elven hunters while doing so.

Everyone present can now observe that Gerdal - as well as her chameleon - partly blends with the surroundings while standing still, changing hue and structure to adapt to the environment surrounding them.

"So, tell me again what happened before. You were assulted by the snake men here and defeated them, but once back home the ones poisoned started to transform into snake people themselves, by some strange disease?"

She has a look at the statue and the surrounding stones.

"What were the snakemen doing here? Worshipping? Is Herne a neutral deity?"